Back brushing device



Feb. 26, 1963 R. L. BRIGGS BACK BRUSl-IING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 11, 1962 INVEN TOR.

J m R BM r A Y H" n Feb. 26, 1963 R. BRIGGS BACK BRUSHING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 11, 1962 INVENTOR. IQOLLEY L. BR/GGJ BY AT TORNEY51 United States Patent Ofifice 3,078,484 Patented Feb. 26, 1963 3,078,484 BACK BRUSHKNG DEVECE Rolley L. Briggs, 1701 3rd Ave. 5., Fargo, N. Dali. Filed Jan. 11, 1962, Ser. No. 165,554 1 Claim. (Cl. 15-21) My invention relates generally to cleaning or scrubbing devices and more specifically to devices of the character adapted for scrubbing portions of the human anatomy.

Still more specifically, my invention relates to back scrubbing devices and has for its primary object the provision of a manually operated rotary back scrubbing device which may be secured to the wall of a shower stall, or alternatively to the wall of a bathroom in closely spaced relationship to but above the level of a bath tub.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class above described having a rotary back-engaging brush which may be rotated in opposite directions by the hands of the operator while standing with his back in engagement with the brush.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class above described which may be vertically adjusted to compensate not only for the brushing and cleansing of different areas of the back but also to compensate for the different heights of individuals.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described which is inexpensive to produce and which is easy to attach to a wall.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described which is easy to operate and adjust and which is substantially foolproof in its operation.

The above and still other important objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims and attached drawmgs.

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing my device in operative position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view in perspective;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken on the line 33 of HG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in section taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in section as seen from the line 55 of FIG. 3.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates in its entirety a mounting bracket adapted to be secured to a wall or the like by longitudinally spaced screws 2 whereby the laterally spaced parallel guide rails 3 are vertically disposed. Preferably, and as shown, the guide rails 3 are spaced from the wall by means of a box-like housing structure identified in its entirety by the reference character 4. Furthermore, the guide rails 3 are provided with a plurality of pairs of laterally spaced apertures 5, for a purpose which will hereinafter be explained in detail.

Adapted to be vertically adjustably secured to the mounting bracket 1 is a box-like housing 6, the upper rear end portion of which is formed to define a rearwardly projecting T-shaped guide tongue 7, opposite side portions of which define laterally outwardly opening grooves 8 for the reception of opposite side edges 3a of the guide rails 3 As shown in FIG. 2, the box-like structure 4 is open so as to enable the tongue 7 to be passed through the T-shaped opening defined by the upper end of the mounting bracket 1. Adjacent its lower end and affixed to the rear wall 9 thereof are a pair of laterally spaced anchoring fingers 10 which are adapted to be selectively received in a given pair of openings 5 in the guide rails 3, whereby to position the housing 6 at the desired height for operation and use. Obviously, this may be done by merely pulling forwardly on the lower end of the housing 6 whereby to cause the upper end of the box to pivot about the axis of the projections 11 defined by the T-shaped guide tongue 7.

A shaft 12 is shown as extending through the lower end of the housing 6, axially spaced portions thereof being journalled in the front and rear walls 13 and 9 respectively, as indicated at 14, 15 respectively. Mounted fast on the forward ends of the shaft 12 for common rotation therewith forwardly of the front wall 13 is a brush head 16, the bristles thereof being identified by 17.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 3 and 5, a pair of laterally spaced sheaves or pulleys 18 are mounted on a common horizontal axis within the box-like housing 6 about the plane of the shaft 12. Preferably, and as shown, the sheaves 18 are mounted on opposite ends of a shaft 19 whereby their upper end portions project upwardly through apertures 20 in the upper end wall 21 of the housing 6.

As shown particularly in FIG. 3, the intermediate portion of the shaft 12 intermediate the front and rear walls 13, 9 defines a winding spool 22. Wrapped around the winding spool 22- with its opposite ends entrained one each over one of the sheaves 18 is a flexible cord or the like 23. The outer ends 241- of the flexible member 23 project outwardly through the openings 26 and are provided at their extreme outer ends with hand gripping elements 25.

With the structure above described, the operator first positions the housing 6 in the desired height in the manner above indicated. Thereafter, while standing with his back in engagement with the bristles 17 of the brush 16, he may impart rotation to the brush 16 in opposite directions merely by grasping the handles 25 in opposite hands while the opposite ends 24 of the flexible element 23 extend over his shoulders. In this position the operator merely imparts simultaneous forward and rearward movements to his arms in opposite directions.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects, and while I have shown a preferred embodiment thereof, I wish it to be understood that same may be capable of modification without departure from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

In a device of the class described,

( a) a box-like housing,

(b) a rotary shaft extending through said housing and having axially spaced portions journalled in the front and rear walls thereof,

(0) a brush head secured to the front end of said shaft for common rotation therewith forwardly of said housing,

(d) said shaft interiorly of said housing defining a winding spool,

(2) a pair of laterally spaced pulleys journalled for rotation within said housing on a common horizontal axis above the plane of said shaft,

(1) said housing defining in its upper portion a pair of laterally spaced openings one each in closely spaced relation to one of said pulleys,

(g) a flexible element having its intermediate portion wound about said Winding spool,

(h) opposite ends of said flexible element entrained one each over one of said pulleys and extending outwardly from said housing through an adjacent one of said openings and terminating exteriorly of said housing in hand grip elements,

(i) a mounting bracket for said housing, said mounting bracket defining a pair of vertically extended and laterally spaced parallel guide rails, and means fior imparting vertical adjustments to said housing with 1,358,733

respect to said'guid rails. 1,609,796"

References Cited in the file of this patent 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 576,939 Baines Feb. 9, 1897 52,830

4 Son-ell June 4, 1907 Heine Nov. 16, 1920 Cheney Dec. 7,' 1926' Herman Jan. 17, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany July 19, 1890 

